Element Backup

Abstract

An element backup including a first ring defining an axis; a first parting line through the first ring, the first parting line having a first plurality of generally axially extending segments and a first generally non-axially extending segment extending between the first plurality of axially extending segments; a second ring defining an axis; a second parting line through the second ring, the second parting line having a second plurality of generally axially extending segments and a second generally non-axially extending segment extending between the second plurality of axially extending segments; and an interconnection releasably securing the first and second rings to one another.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A backup, comprising;
 a ring having a radial dimension extending from an inside diameter surface to an outside diameter surface;   a radially truncated finger extending circumferentially from a first portion of the ring; and   a radially truncated finger receptacle disposed at a second portion of the ring, the receptacle being receptive to the finger.   
     
     
         2 . The backup as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the finger has a radial dimension of greater than half of the radial dimension of the ring. 
     
     
         3 . The backup as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ring has a longitudinal axial dimension at the outside diameter surface thereof and the finger forms a portion of the longitudinal axial dimension. 
     
     
         4 . The backup as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the finger is more than half of the longitudinal axial dimension of the ring. 
     
     
         5 . The backup as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the finger is slidable along the receptacle when the ring is expanded, during use. 
     
     
         6 . The backup as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is bordered radially inwardly by a finger complement. 
     
     
         7 . The backup as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a finger complement receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The backup as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the receptacle is bordered radially inwardly by a finger complement that is slidable along the finger complement receptacle when the ring is expended, during use. 
     
     
         9 . The backup as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the finger includes a release member initially tying the finger to the second portion. 
     
     
         10 . A borehole seal configuration comprising:
 a mandrel;   a seal element disposed about the mandrel;   an element backup disposed adjacent the seal element, the element backup being defined in  claim 1 ;   a cone disposed adjacent the element backup opposite the seal element.   
     
     
         11 . A method for making an element backup as claimed in  claim 1  comprising:
 depositing a layer of material on a substrate; 
 fusing the layer of material; 
 depositing subsequent layers of material and fusing each layer of material to the next until a completed element backup is formed. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the fusing is by applying laser radiation to each layer.